Mariners Analysis: Have A (Birth)day

#4 Bryan Clark Pitches A Birthday Beauty (7/12/83)

In the early 1980’s when the Seattle Mariners were still in the toddler stages of becoming a professional baseball franchise searching for their identity, so to was their reliever/starter, Bryan Clark. During his first 2 years in the league with the M’s, Clark dabbled in the starting rotation, but also spent much time stepping onto the mound mid-game. In his junior season, the Mariners were in need of a capable starting pitcher, and they gave Clark that opportunity in late June. The young pitcher chose his birthday to have one of his best career performances in only his 2nd start of the season.

Facing the mediocre Boston Red Sox in this mid-season affair, nothing special would come out of this game, but for Clark, it would be a day he would remember for a long time. The Mariners gave the birthday boy a good cushion in the first inning, getting 2 hits and a run off a Ricky Nelson single. Clark showed his appreciation as he went through the first without a hitch, but he faced his first hurdle in the 2nd, giving up a hit and walk, but he escaped without damage.

Unfortunately the rough 2nd carried over to the 3rd. Despite taking care of the first batter of the frame, Clark would make 4 consecutive mistakes including 3 hits, accounting for 2 runs, and 1 wild pitch. He had surrendered the lead, but what mattered most was the way the man nicknamed ‘Gas Can’, refueled and retooled to finish off his birthday in style and help the Mariners to victory.

Rebounding in the 4th, allowing 1 extra-base hit and no runs, the Mariners then took to the plate in the 5th to give Clark all the run support he would need. 3 straight hits and a fielders-choice ground-out would give back the lead to the road team. Over the next 3.1 innings Clark would pitch excellently, giving up 2 hits (not in the same inning) and just 1 walk, but most notably, not allowing another run, keeping the team ahead and put him in line for a birthday victory.

After dismissing 6 of the last 7 batters he would face on the night, Clark was sent to the dugout with 1 out in the 8th; it was time for reliever, Bill Caudill, to shut the door and ensure a Mariner W on Clark’s 26th B-Day. He did just that allowing a measly single in the 9th, as the lone hiccup in his short appearance to secure the win.

It was the 2nd career victory for Clark when he would pitch at least 7 innings in a game decided by 3 runs or less (he would have two more outings of this variety later that season). It was not only a highlight for Bryan Clark that season, but for his career.

Next: Rauuuul Does It All